(First things first: yes this is Kaerli, I had to make a new forums account)

It seems that we need more plots and such in PS, but it is rather hard on one person to try and plan, execute, and manage a plot by themselves. If nothing else, people barely have time. So maybe if we turn the process into an open collaboration it might help. If we can find a type of plot that people are willing to support, by taking on roles within it, it is more likely that the plot will actually see the light of day.



So to get the idea started, I have a questionnaire here. Just use the quote button to get the text and formatting below then write in your response under the question. The formatting is there so that the question will not blend into your answer. Answer any or all of it. 
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Ok so you want to be a part of a plot. What kind of plot would you like to see and help out in?(i.e. kidnapping, robbing, mage takes over a city, rampant disease, Ball, unexpected twist, a play, an archaeological dig, ect...)

A couple of things...plots where the morals are less clear than black v. white are relatively interesting for me, but often people jack up the social complexity too high for my tastes at the same time.  Intricate technical detail (i.e. "popping the hood" on the inner workings of magic ICly, or some crazy-detailed alchemical plot) is good too.

OK, that's cool, now what kind of characters would you like to see included in a plot and what would you like to play in a plot?(i.e. Nutty, refined but bad goals, thief with a heart of gold, struggling do-gooder, lovesick fool, etc...)

I don't really 'get' the character archetypes...so don't ask me just make it something that doesn't lock Kaerli out completely.

Would a specific type of item catch your interest and make you want to participate? What kind of item then?(i.e. Glowing stones, cursed jewels, ancient artifacts, talking/singing items, items that let you see your "true self", etc...)

Weird, wild stuff.  Magical spatial/temporal distortion, bizarre chemistry/alchemy, sentient items (not just verbal, but able to pass a Turing test with flying colors too , strange behaviors from seemingly ordinary materials...

Ok, we'll see what we can do then. But when do you want the item to appear in the plot? (i.e. from the beginning, let it be revealed later on, never show it only mention it, with the main character, with a side character, with a character no one thinks is important, ect...)

Make it pop up in places people won't expect it.  (Someone hands someone a jar of sludge, but much to their astonishment, when they go to drink it, it comes out as a potion should)

Oh wow, speaking of characters, we should probably figure out what roles need to be filled. Which roles do you want the main characters/people directing the plot to occupy? (i.e. traditional:hero, love interest, sidekick, villian; Anti traditional: villian, hate interest, lacky, anti hero; Quirky: loveable goof, snarky sidekick, bumbling villian; Some other combination of stock characters?

Beats me

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Good, that's plot, characters, and items... but how do we lure people in? (i.e. get everyone in under a pretense, just put it out there as a plot and let people come if they want to, tie it in with another subplot, etc?)

Dump it on their heads.  The plot should be invisible until well after it's done (I.E. I want people to be participating without even realizing it)

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Ok, so lets just say we get everyone in under a pretense, what pretense would work as a suitable cover for the real plot? (i.e. a market, a concert, a more dramatic looking plot, people pretending to be actors and the plot is a new play,  an experiment that will eventually go wrong, etc...)

N/A

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Good, good. That takes care of most of the issues. Now for a crucial question. How long should the plot last? (a day, a few days, a week, a month...<.< *pssht* yeah right... a month.... :p)

The key is to stretch it out...

Are there any events from the past that you would like to see players come back and build on?(i.e. alchemy event, RCD events, sickness plots, invasions, etc...)
[/quote]Beats me

Almost at the end. Are there some items in particular that you would like to be able to get out of the event. (nothing super special like swords of ulber slaying now. , named items, trophies, weapons, RP items, commerative plate sets... 0.O )

Again, the weirder, the better, just don't make it utterly useless.  (Trophies are BAD in that regard.)

Is there something specific that you think needs to be done to get people to not only look in on the plot but also to hang around?

That depends on the person

Ok finally, you made it. Last, any further thoughts, questions, rants or sillinesses?

Make the storyline respect the metagame.